New York Travel Guide With A Focus on Lower East Side

Here we go with my personal NYC travel guide paying special attention to the Lower East Side, a neighboorhood which is known for its blend of cultural diversity and rich history. LES is now home to some of the best NY delis, buzzy restaurants, a thriving art gallery scene and trendy indie boutiques and it has become one of the city’s most desirable areas for the hip and youthful set, a real neighboorhood that still has a lot of authenticity. Two subway lines are within a 10-minute walk.

 

WHERE TO SLEEP

Sago Hotel

A new, modern-industrial gem with 20 rooms striking the perfect balance between the modern New York experience and the primordial past.
Sago Hotel, 120 Allen Street, New York, NY 10002, Phone +1 212-951-1112

 

The Ludlow

The 175 rooms of 20-story Ludlow have a lofty industrial vibe with big casement windows and impressive views of the New York skyline. The Ludlow Street is known for its small boutiques, bars and restaurants.
The Ludlow, 180 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002, USA

The Nolitan

Not exactly located in the Lower East Side but just a stone’s throw away, The Nolitan is a stylish boutique hotel with 57 rooms in the neighboorhood of Little Italy.
The Nolitan, 30 Kenmare St, New York, NY 10012, Phone +1 212-925-2555

 

Sixty LES

The 141-room hotel delivers the ultimate downtown experience, as well as a rooftop pool and a hip eatery from the acclaimed Blue Ribbon restaurant team.
Sixty LES, 190 Allen St, New York, NY 10002, Phone +1 212-460-5300

 

 

WHERE TO EAT

Russ & Daughters Café (breakfast)

Although we usually still prefer to get our sandwiches up the block at the Houston Street original, we’re often grateful for this beautifully designed sit-down cafe. No time is that more true than on a lazy weekday morning — this activity is worth calling out sick for — with close friends who’ll share a platter of pastrami-cured salmon and a bread basket with you.
Russ & Daughters Café, 127 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002, Phone +1 212-475-4880 ext. 2

 

Noga

Pretty kosher restaurant belonging to the Sago Hotel and specialized in fresh seafood and handmade pasta. Try the excellent Truffle Fettucine!
Noga, 120 Allen St, New York, NY 10002, Phone +1 212-804-7207

 

Dudley’s

This Australian hotspot owned by Steve Aioki serves up all-day breakfast, already making it one of our favorite LES spots. Yes, there’s the requisite avocado toast and burgers, but also Brussels sprouts that might convert even the biggest veggie hater. Plus, it’s filled with Instagram-worthy neon signs you can snap even if you’re swinging by the new take-out counter.
Dudley’s, 85 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002, Phone +1 212-925-7355

 

Katz Delicatessen (hold the orgasm)

Might be packed with tourists but everyone should queue up at this icon at least once, as Katz still offers the best pastrami sandwiches, giant matzo balls and other classic Jewish delights.
Katz Delicatessen, 205 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002, Phone +1 212-254-2246

 

Ivan Ramen

This delicious little ramen spot is run by Ivan Orkin, a self-described “Jewish kid from Long Island”. The narrow space has a fun collage of Japanese and American iconic images, an open kitchen fronted by counter seats and an appealing backyard patio and offers the best ramen in NYC.
Ivan Ramen, 25 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002, Phone +1 646-678-3859

 

Max Fish (nightlife)

Cool bar with a laidback vibe…
Max Fish, 120 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002, USA

 

WHAT TO SEE

My personal highlights – of course there are many more, but if time is not your friend – I would break it down to these:

Staten Island Ferry

For no charge you can take a 25-minute voyage by water from Lower Manhattan to Staten Island and take in the Statue of Liberty and the stunning vistas of New York Harbor and the Manhattan skyline.
Staten Island Ferry, 4 South St, New York, NY 10004

 

High Line

My NY favourite: Walking the High Line. This elevated parkway on a disused 1930s freight rail track has been transformed into what is now considered one of the most unique parks in NYC. This urbanite playground features greenery and art installations and spectacular views of New York’s skyline. The High Line runs from Hudson Yards to the northern edge of Chelsea.
High Line, Phone +1 212-500-6035

Whitney Museum

After walking the High Line you should visit the Whitney Museum, designed by architect Renzo Piano and situated between the High Line and the Hudson River. The Whitney’s new building vastly increases the Museum’s exhibition and programming space, providing the most expansive view ever of its unsurpassed collection of modern and contemporary American art. Fantastic roof terrace, too!
Whitney Museum, 99 Gansevoort Street, New York, NY 10014, Phone +1 212-570-3600

 

Top of the Rock

In my opinion this is the best place to take in the sweeping majesty of NYC. Boasting a 360-degree panorama of New York, you can marvel at the city from the Rockefeller Center Observation. It may not be as high as the Empire State building but it offers you a view of well – the Empire State Building and it tends to be less crowded.
Top of the Rock, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112, Phone +1 212-698-2000

 

Tenement Museum

Back to Lower East Side, the Tenement Museum tells the surprisingly moving stories of Manhattan’s early immigrants, told through vividly recreated homes in this historic Lower East Side apartment building.
Tenement Museum, 103 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002, Phone +1 212-982-8420

 

911 Memorial Museum

The Museum tells the story of 9/11 through interactive technology, archives, narratives and a collection of artifacts like a crushed fire truck. It also shares the heartbreaking personal stories of family members who lost loved ones, survivors, rescue and recovery workers and volunteers. I’m not sure what to think about it though. We left after about an hour as the personal stories were hard to stand, it was quite saddening and depressing – and too voyeuristic in my opinion.
911 Memorial Museum,180 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10007, Phone +1 212-312-8800

 

WHERE TO SHOP

There are plenty of cool boutiques around SoHo and Greenwich, which is pretty close but these gems are just around the corner:

The Reformation

Most fashion is designed 12 to18 months before it’s released, but at Ref a sketch can become a dress in about a month and it won’t break your bank.
The Reformation, 156 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002, Phone+1 855-756-0560

 

Tictail Market

Tictail Market gives the online shop a brick-and-mortar home, and brings the newest in fashion, art and home decor.
Tictail Market, 90 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002, Phone +1 917-388-1556

 

Frankie Shop

This small boutique is a go-to place for unfussy, minimal, wallet-conscious styles, where I got myself this leo skirt.
Frankie Shop, 100 Stanton St, New York, NY 10002, Phone +1 212-253-0953

 

Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an

 

Ein Beitrag geteilt von Tine Fleischer (@tineinattendu) am Sep 10, 2018 um 10:14 PDT

 

The Apartment by The Line
This concept store is the physical iteration of the online fashion shop The Line. Located in a light-filled SoHo loft, everything inside this shop-able apartment – from JW Anderson and Toteme pieces in the walk-in closet – to beautiful ceramic vessels and art books can be purchased.
The Apartment, 3rd floor, 76 Greene Street, New York, NY 10012, Phone +1 917 460 7196

 

Maryam Nassir Zadeh

Any girl who cares about fashion knows about MNZ for good reason: this thoughtful concept boutique (also known by its acronym MNZ, the initials of Iranian owner) cultivates a myriad of independent, insider-favorite designers like Jacquemus, Sophie Buhai, Rejina Pyo and many more.
MNZ, 123 Norfolk St, New York, NY 10002, +1 212-673-6405